Owensboro

Owensboro is still a nice city that gets dust kicked at it sometimes. I grew up in Owensboro and I still love the place.

Sure, you won't find a frequent big name concert like you might find in a bigger city. I don't think there is a popular bar/restaurant area like you might have in Lexington. There is nothing comparable to the Bardstown road area of Louisville.

Still, there are good people and cool places there.

I know Owensboro was briefly in contention to get a Frontier League baseball team at one time, but that never happened.

So, they did get a pro basketball team for a couple of years. Any pro sports team is cool in my books, and I have a personal appreciation for independent level pro teams. It takes a lot to put one together, to sustain one, and to eventually make a profit off of one.

The Florence Freedom (baseball), in northern Kentucky, have pulled it off. They had a rough time in their first few years. They switched parks a few times, and I am sure their owner experience many other stressors, but they seem to be solid now. They did have the benefit of existing before they came to Florence (the organization actually moved from Pennsylvania). Plus, they are close to Cincinnati, AND their park is located right on an interstate. Tens of thousands of travelers pass their park daily.

Check out the history of the Kentucky Rifles, and the Tri-State Tomahawks, two other pro sports teams that did not make it in Kentucky. The Tomahawks literally folded after a couple of weeks.

The Arena Football team in Louisville folded after 8 years, and they were drawing very good crowds in their last year. The Lexington Arena team had similar success too, but folded in 2009.

I did have a chance to catch the Owensboro basketball team at the Sports Center. They put on a good show and I do wish they had more response, and more support.

However, this is independent sports. The chances of success are small. A two year run is nothing to be ashamed of. Even with fan attendance in the thousands (which the Arena Football teams easily had) it is hard to keep going.

The Owensboro team had a lot more success than the Lexington pro basketball team, attendance wise, and that team has retooled, and is planning on coming back this year (moving a few miles to Georgetown). Good luck to the Stallions and the crew running their shows. I plan on being at every game I can get to. They know it takes some time and sacrifice to get the ball rolling.

I saw both teams at home last year. Owensboro's team, in my opinion, had very good fan support for a young, indy team in a small market.

Anyway Owensboro, you still have Kentucky Wesleyan to support, and I am sure the college and the team appreciate every ticket they sell. There is still good basketball being played at the Sports Center.

Hey, if you are in the Georgetown area, catch the Stallions. If you are in Owenboro, catch the KWC Panthers.

http://www.bluegrassstallions.com/